Articles

This page lists all practical and feature articles available on RTWMatters. From top ten tips, how to guides and case studies, through to webinar recordings and video interviews with industry experts.

Click the ‘Topics’ button below to drill down into all articles and research updates on your topic of interest.

Click the ‘Quick Guides’ button for practical bit sized guides that give you a sound basic knowledge base.

Trouble communicating? Stop talking: Listen!

contributorGabrielle Lis

A quick guide to the advantages and basic techniques of active listening.

When the doctor says "no" to return to work

contributorGabrielle Lis

Feel like you've hit a brick wall? Practical tips to help you chisel away at it...

Bullying in Australian workplaces: Q&A

contributorGabrielle Lis

Bullying is bad for workplace health and bad for RTW. How widespread is it, and how does it...

Dealing with downsizing

contributorGabrielle Lis

A quick guide to minimising negative impacts of downsizing on workers' comp claims and return to...

Who at your work would make the best RTW coordinator?

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

How do employers know who is the right staff member to delegate the role of RTW coordinator?

Strategic planning - how can I and why should I?

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Arranging resources helps to achieve long-term workplace objectives. Here's how to make injury...

RTW relationship hurdles 2: Doctors and employers

contributorGabrielle Lis

Hurdling with a briefcase is tough, so why not dismantle RTW relationship barriers before they...

RTW relationship hurdles 1: Doctors and employers

contributorGabrielle Lis

Part One - What are the barriers to good doctor / employer relationships?

Juggling RTW and performance issues?

contributorGabrielle Lis

These practical industry insights will save you from having to grow an extra pair of arms...

"Getting back is the best"

contributorHeather Millar, SA

Aged care worker, Donna Taylor, remains positive by taking on an admin role following an injury...

Motivational mojo medicine

contributorGabrielle Lis

RTW motivation can be hard to muster...Unless you've had your dose of the RTWMatters...

Stalled RTW?

contributorGabrielle Lis

This simple checklist will help you pinpoint the problem and jump start the process.

Why base rehab in the workplace?

contributorGabrielle Lis

If you're having trouble convincing injured or ill workers that early return to work is the best...

To schmooze or not to schmooze?

contributorGabrielle Lis

There's no question about it, injured workers need special treatment. Employers, here are ten...

Overloaded employees underperform

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Why it's worth noticing when employees feel overloaded - and what you can do about it.

How to recognise if you're "in the zone" at work

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Missing the zing in your step? Here's some help to refresh at work and steps to getting in the...

6 simple apathy busters

contributorGabrielle Lis

Supervisors apathetic about RTW? You gotta bust that apathy ASAP!

Top ten things to avoid in RTW

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg and Gabrielle Lis

Maximise the chances of great RTW outcomes by avoiding these factors that hold up the process.

Only know the bare bones about arthritis?

contributorGabrielle Lis

Flesh out your arthritis knowledge with a to-the-point briefing paper...

What do RTW Professionals need to know about CBT?

contributorGabrielle Lis

The basics of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and how it can be used to resolve difficult RTW cases.

The human face of WorkCover: from truckie to carer

contributorAnne-Marie Taplin, senior writer WorkCover SA

Senior writer with WorkCover SA shares a great case study that shows RTW is always worth the...

Who gets involved in modifying duties - and how?

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Who has control over organising modified duties in your workplace - and what are the pros and...

I'm a RTW Coordinator and my work won't listen to me!

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

What approaches can you take in the all-too-common situation of needing to convince others that...

What skills do I need as a RTW Coordinator?

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

And how do I get those skills? Are they the same for Coordinators in companies of all sizes?

Q&A: The first five minutes

contributorGabrielle Lis

What happens in the first five minutes after injury affects health outcomes and costs. And your...

Seeking: a doctor who talks and listens

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

How to recognise doctors who are good communicators - and why it's in your interest to seek them...

Top ten reasons to have a health and wellbeing program

contributorGabrielle Lis

Need some ammunition to make the case for investment in health and wellbeing? Look no further...

Won't stand for another work risk?

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Fair enough - but you might not want to take this RTW news sitting down.

Sprains and strains causing RTW pain?

contributorGabrielle Lis

How-to Guide: Using modified duties to promote durable return to work.

Asleep on the job

contributorGabrielle Lis

Missing a tram stop is the last thing fatigued workers should be worrying about. Try diabetes,...

Conflict Cookie #4: Making the most of conflict

contributorGabrielle Lis

Conflict driving you crazy? Use it to drive innovation...

What are the ingredients for success in RTW?

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Getting the right mix is never easy but hearing how other people have succeeded in return to...

The proven pay-off of workplace health programs

contributorGabrielle Lis

The results of a Monash University study assessing the results of participation in the Global...

Employees tough to budge on workplace health?

contributorGabrielle Lis

Dr Steve Beller says 'Joy of living' is a much more powerful motivator than 'fear of illness and...

Dos and Don'ts for workplace health during a downturn or recession

contributorGabrielle Lis

A short guide to surviving a downturn in business for busy RTW and OHS professionals.

Six Workers' comp pearls of wisdom: a tough gig creates good advice

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Workers' comp is a tough gig - tougher still when you're looking after a company covering almost...

Manage people, not musculoskeletal symptoms

contributorGabrielle Lis

Ignoring the non-physical causes of musculoskeletal problems leads to very poor outcomes in this...

Conflict Cookie #3: Managing conflict

contributorGabrielle Lis

It's a waste to sweep cookie crumbs under the carpet, and the same goes for conflict. Don't...

Gluttons for punishment? Talking work and psychosis at Mind

contributorGabrielle Lis

Ever wondered what it might be like to work with a mental illness, let alone return to work...

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